Both granite and marble are natural stones.
Compare granite quartz and marble countertops.
In fact quartz is nearly indestructible and because it isn t porous like granite it s easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria free.
In the case of slabs sold for countertops there are many different minerals and stones sold as either granite or marble because they contain similar composition and characteristics.
How do the costs compare.
Marble countertop slabs are more expensive than quartz depending on the quality chosen.
Marble costs approximately 60 to 100 per square foot.
Granite countertops cost 80 to 175 per square foot installed.
Commercial graniteis an igneous or metamorphic stone that is mainly comprised of silica feldspar mica and quartz.
Commercial marble is typically available in variations of black and white.
Be careful with cooking pans though.
Some marble is quartz based while others are composed of serpentine a greenish mineral.
Homeowners often turn to quartz as an alternative to not only granite and marble but materials such as solid surface as well.
Read on to find out which countertops are the cheapest and which are the most expensive.
The table below displays the positive and negative qualities of quartz.
Marble countertops are well made and structurally sound but are less forgiving than their granite or quartz counterparts.
Granite is metamorphic or igneous made up of silica mica feldspar and quartz generally with a packed granular surface.
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus more durable.
Therefore the cost difference is not dramatic.
While quartz can closely compare with granite and marble it is of better quality than solid surface countertops.
Each surface material ranges in price some being more dramatic than others.
Quartz countertops range from about 80 to 140 per square foot installed.
These include granite marble quartzite soapstone porcelain butcher block quartz solid surface and laminate.
However the labor cost for quartz is higher due to the complicated installation.